During the final day of the Basketball Africa League (BAL), fans from across the region praised Rwanda’s investment in sports infrastructure and opportunities for youth.
Eddy, a Burundian living in Belgium, expressed his admiration for Rwanda’s leadership and commitment to sports. “As Africans, it’s inspiring to see Rwanda build world-class facilities like BK Arena. Few places in Africa have such venues,” he said. Eddy added that supporting RSSB Tigers Basketball Club felt like a shared victory for Burundi and East Africa, since Rwanda represents the region proudly.
Okero, a Ugandan fan who traveled with his group to Kigali, highlighted the organization, security, and cleanliness of the city during the tournament. “The way fans entered without chaos, guided by security, showed us Rwanda’s capacity to host international events. It’s a lesson for us,” he noted. He was also impressed by President Paul Kagame’s presence, attending games as a genuine fan among supporters. “Seeing a head of state cheering with the crowd was remarkable and sets an example for other leaders,” he added.
On the Tigers’ victory, Okero said: “RSSB Tigers deserved the trophy. They played brilliantly from the start, and as fans from Uganda, we celebrated their success.”
The sixth edition of BAL attracted fans from across Africa and beyond, including Canada, USA, Belgium, France, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Burundi, Senegal, Nigeria, and many other countries. Rwanda’s role as host reinforced its image as a continental hub for sports and culture.
